Will grad transfer Madre London break into Tennessee Vols running back rotation?

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (3) looks out for Vanderbilt players while running the ball during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017.

This is Part II of a series examining Tennessee’s roster after spring practice. Today, we look at running backs.

What we thought we knew entering spring practice

The Vols needed a new starting running back after John Kelly declared for the NFL draft. Ty Chandler seemed like the logical choice to move into the starting role, but Chandler is more of a speedster than a power back, so, would he be a good fit for offensive coordinator Tyson Helton’s pro-style offense?

One would-be contender, Carlin Fils-aime, was removed from the competition when coach Jeremy Pruitt said before spring practice that Fils-aime would be moving to cornerback.

So even if Chandler grabbed the starting role, it was unclear who would emerge as the top backup.

What we learned

Chandler might not be the bruising running back Helton would draw up if he had his druthers, but he’s the most talented running back on this roster. That counts for something. Chandler started the spring game and delivered a solid performance, putting up 53 yards on 11 carries. He’s also a top candidate to return kickoffs.

What was more noteworthy than Chandler’s spring game showing, though, was the way Jordan played. Jordan, who missed the early portions of spring practice after having an appendectomy in March, shared first-team repetitions with Chandler and gained a spring game-high 57 yards on nine carries. He showed good vision on a 29-yard run he bounced to the perimeter and later dodged Quart’e Sapp in the backfield en route to a 5-yard scoring run. Jordan could join Chandler in forming a 1-2 punch.

Tennessee running back Tim Jordan (9) runs down the field while pushing away Tennessee linebacker Quart’e Sapp (14) during the Tennessee Volunteers Orange & White spring game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Trey Coleman and Princeton Fant each got a close look from the staff throughout the spring. They are bigger backs than either Chandler or Jordan, but they’ll also field competition in preseason camp from London, the 218-pounder from Michigan State with 924 career rushing yards.

What’s next?

The starting job remains up for grabs, with Chandler as the leading contender. Who starts doesn’t matter all that much, though. It’s more about who forms the contingent — likely a triumvirate — that Tennessee will lean on. Last year, Kelly accounted for 61.8 percent of all carries by UT running backs. This staff probably will distribute the carries a bit more evenly.

If Chandler and Jordan form part of the regular rotation, then Pruitt and Helton will remain on the lookout for a bigger back comfortable with running between the tackles.

Oct. 14: Madre London looks for a crease in the Minnesota defense during the third quarter. It was the Spartans’ third night game in their past four games.

That sounds like a job for London, who is familiar with performing that task for Michigan State, which used a pro-style offense.

If London flops, then look for Coleman or Fant to get the chance to be UT’s bruising back. Neither of those two excelled in the spring game, but they were working behind a second-string offensive line that included two walk-ons.

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